A transportable and erectable stairtower having a removable/slidable wheel carriage and a removable installation section arranged for transporting and erecting the stairtower. The stairtower has vertical column members and lateral members defining levels of the stairtower. Removable staircases extend between alternate levels of lateral members. A platform landing is formed at the intersection of first and second stair segments of the staircase. Removable ramps may be connected to the stairtower above, below, and at a position corresponding to the platform landings. A safety device in the form of catch pans, gutters, and leaders may be provided to protect workers by collecting debris and rainwater. A transporting vehicle may be connected to the installation section to transport the stairtower to a desired location. A lifting vehicle may be used to lift the stairtower from a horizontal to a vertical orientation.
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1. A transportable and erectable stairtower comprising:
a plurality of elongate and coextensive column members generally parallel to one another and having distal and proximal ends;
a plurality of elongate lateral members extending transversely between, and connected to, the column members to form levels, the levels of the lateral members located at vertically spaced positions relative to the column members, each of the lateral members bordering a side of the stairtower;
a staircase extending between alternating levels of the lateral members;
a wheel carriage arranged for connection to the stairtower along a side thereof;
an installation section removably connected to the distal ends of the column members and arranged for transporting and erecting the stairtower; and
wherein the wheel carriage is directly slidably connected to the stairtower at a distal end of the wheel carriage and directly pivotally connected to the stairtower at a proximal end of the wheel carriage such that wheels of the wheel carriage do not block access to an interior of the stairtower when the stairtower is in a vertical orientation.
15. A transportable and erectable stairtower comprising:
a plurality of elongate and coextensive column members generally parallel to each other and having distal and proximal ends;
a plurality of elongate and coextensive lateral members extending transversely between, and connected to, the column members to form levels, the levels of the lateral members located at vertically spaced positions relative to the column members, each of the lateral members bordering a side of the stairtower;
a staircase having first and second stair segments and extending between alternating levels of the lateral members;
wherein each of the first and second stair segments has a first landing portion, a stair portion, and a second landing portion;
wherein the first landing portion, the stair portion, and the second landing portion of each stair segment have perforations to allow for debris and rainwater to pass therethrough; gutters, which are connected to downspouts; and
wherein catch pan segments are connected to proximal portions of the first landing portion, the stair portion, and the second landing portion of each stair segment to collect and transport the debris and rainwater to the gutters connected to the catch pan segments, which gutters transport the debris and rainwater to the downspouts attached to the column members.
17. A transportable and erectable stairtower having four corners and comprising:
a plurality of elongate and coextensive column members generally parallel to one another and having distal and proximal ends;
a plurality of elongate lateral members extending transversely between, and connected to, the column members to form levels, the levels of the lateral members located at vertically spaced positions relative to the column members, each of the lateral members bordering a side of the stairtower;
a staircase extending between alternating levels of the lateral members;
a wheel carriage arranged for connection to the stairtower along a side thereof;
wherein the wheel carriage is directly slidably connected to the stairtower at a distal end of the wheel carriage and directly pivotally connected to the stairtower at a proximal end of the wheel carriage such that the wheels of the wheel carriage do not block access to an interior of the stairtower when the stairtower is in a vertical orientation; an installation section removably connected to the distal ends of the column members and arranged for transporting and erecting the stairtower;
wherein the installation section comprises:
opposed lateral members forming a frame that is removably connected to the distal ends of the column members at the four corners of the stairtower;
opposed projecting members projecting from the frame between the four corners of the stairtower and opposed angle members extending from the frame between the four corners of the stairtower and connected to the opposed projecting members in a triangular shape; and
at least one cross-piece extending across the opposed projecting and angle members;
wherein, one cross-piece extending across the opposed angle members defines a vertical lift point for lifting the stairtower from a horizontal position to a vertical position.
2. The stairtower according to
3. The stairtower according to
4. The stairtower according to
opposed lateral members forming a frame that is removably connected to the distal ends of the column members;
opposed projecting members and opposed angle members extending from the frame in a triangular shape; and
at least one cross-piece extending across the opposed projecting and angle members;
wherein one cross-piece extending across the opposed angle members defines a vertical lift point for lifting the stairtower from a horizontal position to a vertical position.
5. The stairtower according to
a projection for receiving a first hitch connected to the frame; and
a second hitch extending from one cross-piece extending across the opposed projecting members.
6. The stairtower according to
wherein each of the first and second stair segments has a first landing portion, a stair portion, and a second landing portion; and
each of the first and second stair segments is independently removably attached to the stairtower.
7. The stairtower according to
8. The stairtower according to
a ramp removably pivotally connected to a column member at select positions above, below, and corresponding with the level of the platform landing, the ramp having;
steps progressing from the platform landing to a base of the ramp; and
safety rigging located along opposed sides of the ramp.
9. The stairtower according to
10. The stairtower according to
a plurality of outriggers positioned about the periphery of each level of lateral members in areas surrounding the at least one portal.
11. The stairtower according to
catch pan segments are connected to proximal portions of the first landing portion, the stair portion, and the second landing portion of each stair segment to collect and transport the debris and rainwater to gutters connected to the catch pan segments, which gutters transport the debris and rainwater to downspouts attached to the stairtower.
12. The stairtower according to
the at least one splice connection member being positioned within a distal end of one of the column members of the first stairtower and within the proximal end of a corresponding column member of the second stairtower.
13. The stairtower according to
14. The stairtower according to
a suspension system for use with the wheel carriage; and
brake, headlight, and turn signal indicators connected at suitable locations on the stairtower.
16. The stairtower according to
a wheel carriage arranged for slidable and removable connection along a side of the stairtower; and
an installation section removably connected to the distal ends of the column members for transporting and erecting the stairtower and having:
a first hitch receiving projection attached to a frame defined by opposed lateral members;
a second hitch attached to a first cross-piece connected to a triangular frame extending from the opposed lateral members;
and a vertical lifting point formed at a second cross-piece connected to the triangular frame for lifting the stairtower from a horizontal position to a vertical position.
18. The stairtower according to
a projection for receiving a first hitch connected to the frame; and
a second hitch extending from one cross-piece extending across the opposed projecting members.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/854,138, filed May 27, 2004.
Conventional ladders and scaffolding for use in building construction have many inherent problems, the most prominent thereof being that they are a major source of injuries among construction workers. Injuries may occur from the slightest of worker tasks such as transportation of small tools, material and food between levels of building construction. Workers commonly suffer injuries such as back strain, ankle strain, and bruises when ascending and descending ladders, or transporting items via pulleys and other conveying devices. In addition, there is seldom any protection from and for falling debris, and workers are therefore exposed to risk of injury from such debris. Moreover, ladders do not restrain a worker in the event of a fall, and known scaffolding has limitations in also restraining fallen workers.
A drawback to scaffolding is that it may be labor intensive to erect, and may not provide sufficient coordination to meet height requirements of a high rise building. The limitations of erecting ladders in building construction are self-apparent in that they are limited in height and must be stabilized. Providing additional levels or moving the scaffolding at or to different building constructions may prove cumbersome and time consuming, and moreover the scaffolding may not possess sufficient structural strength and stability to execute certain construction operations or support construction tools and many workers.
Productivity losses are inherent in building construction using ladders and scaffolding. Losses may occur due to the time and effort required to transport goods between building levels. Moreover, due to the lack of stability and nature of ladders, workers must ascend and descend levels of the building construction with the utmost care. Typically, ladders are used in scaffolding and thus the drawbacks of ladders are also present in most known scaffolding systems. Productivity losses also occur due to poor organization of utility access between levels, such as in receiving supplies of electricity, compressed air, oxygen, gas and water. Such utility access is rarely centralized and is instead scattered at numerous and random locations.
For the foregoing reasons, there is need for an access stairtower that overcomes the attendant drawbacks and disadvantages of known ladders and scaffolding systems in providing a safe, productivity increasing, easily erectable, portable and installable access stairtower assembly.
The present invention is directed to a stairtower that satisfies the needs of providing a safe, productivity increasing, and easily transportable, erectable, and installable access stairtower assembly. In an embodiment of the multilevel access platform, the platform includes a plurality of platform modules wherein each includes elongate and coextensive column members that are generally coextensive and parallel to each other, and a plurality of levels of elongate lateral members that extend transversely between and are connected to the column members. The levels of the lateral members are located at vertically spaced positions relative to the column members and each of the lateral members borders a side of the module.
In yet another embodiment of the stairtower, the staircase extends between alternating levels of lateral members, a wheel carriage is arranged for connection along a side of the stairtower, and a removable installation section is connected to the distal ends of the column members and arranged for transporting and erecting the stairtower. The installation section includes a frame of opposed lateral members and opposed projecting and angle members with cross pieces extending across the opposed members. One cross-piece has a projection for receiving a first hitch. Another cross-piece includes a second hitch extending therefrom. Yet another cross-piece forms a vertical lifting point for lifting the stairtower from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. Appropriate brake, headlight, and turn signal indicators may be provided at suitable locations on the stairtower.
In an alternate configuration, a distal end of the wheel carriage is slidably connected to the stairtower and a proximal end of the wheel carriage is pivotally connected to the stairtower such that the wheels of the wheel carriage do not block the passage of persons up and down the staircases of the stairtower when the stair tower is in a vertical orientations.
In another variation, a distal end and a proximal end of the wheel carriage are removably connected to the stairtower. The wheel carriage may also be removably connectable to the stairtower at selected positions along the side of the stairtower.
In an alternate configuration, the staircase is formed of first and second stair segments which are independently removably attached to the stairtower. The first and second stair segments each include a first landing portion, a stair segment, and a second landing portion. When the first and second stair segments are placed into the stairtower, the juxtaposed first and second landing portions of the first and second stair segments, respectively, form a platform landing.
A ramp may be removably pivotally connected to a column member at select positions above, below, and corresponding with the level of the platform landing. The ramp may include steps progressing from the platform landing to a base of the ramp, and safety rigging, such as safety cables or hand rails, along opposed sides of the ramp. In a variation, a portion of the lateral members positioned opposite to the platform landing are removable to define at least one portal to allow passage between the interior and the exterior of the stairtower. A plurality of outriggers may be positioned about the periphery of each level of lateral members in areas surrounding the at least one portal.
In a variation, the first landing portion, the stair portion, and the second landing portion of each stair segment have perforations, such as holes or grating, to allow the passage of debris or rainwater therethrough. Catch pan segments are connected to proximal portions of the first landing portion, the stair portion, and the second landing portion of each stair segment to collect and transport debris and rainwater to gutters and leaders connected to the stairtower.
A method of transporting and erecting a stairtower having structures as described above includes providing the stairtower in a horizontal orientation, connecting a vehicle to the removable installation section and transporting the stairtower to a desired location. Once at the desired location, the vehicle is disconnected from the stairtower and an operative portion of a lifting device is connected to the removable installation section and the stairtower is lifted to a vertical orientation.
In a variation, the method includes transporting the stairtower with the staircase removed therefrom and connecting the staircase to the stairtower. This may be done either prior to or after the stairtower is lifted to the vertical orientation. The removable transporting and erecting section is also removed after the stairtower is lifted to the vertical orientation.
In a further variation, appropriate brake, headlight, and turn signal indicators are connected to the stairtower prior to transporting the stairtower, and are removed prior to lifting the stairtower to a vertical orientation.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
It should be noted that the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to provide a better understanding of the components thereof, and are not intended to be limiting in scope, but rather provide exemplary illustrations.
A better understanding of different embodiments of the invention may be had from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, combinations, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and defined by the appended claims.
It will be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent to possess a described meaning, there is no intent to limit the meaning of such term, either expressly or indirectly, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning. As used herein, the term “proximal” has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location that is closer to a reference point than another location. Likewise, the term “distal” has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location that is further from the reference point than another location.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed in the context of a transportable multilevel access stairtower that may be used in the erection of a building construction having a plurality of superimposed floor levels. The stairtower may be horizontally transported to a construction site and may be lifted to a vertical position on site. The stairtower may be transported in a fully assembled configuration, or may be transported in a partially assembled configuration. The stairtower may be inserted into a building shaft prior to completion of such building, and may be subsequently disassembled or withdrawn from the building when usage thereof is deemed complete. The stairtower may be installed in the building shaft fully assembled, or may be erected outside or in the shaft.
The environment and context of the embodiments of the invention are also with respect to use of the stairtower for a construction site or similar setting. The stairtower may therefore be adapted to the range of environmental conditions that may exist at any construction location, and configured for withstanding the normal activities associated with building construction.
It is to be understood that other analogous uses of the stairtower according to the nature of the embodiments described herein are possible. It is also to be understood that other uses for supporting structures are possible with and without the base assembly to be discussed below.
Suitable utility access conduits 21 may be provided for each level of the stairtower 10, such utility access conduits 21 including means for electricity, gas, oxygen, and compressed air. Welding machine generators can similarly be attached or placed on levels of the platform, and appropriate lighting may be provided above each platform level and staircase 18.
Loading devices 23 such as ramps and pulleys may be pivotally connected to platform levels to facilitate access to and from the stairtower 10. Moreover, safety devices 25, such as extending outriggers pivotally connected to the stairtower, may be provided for each platform level.
As shown in
Each portal 26 is defined by mutually opposed web members 28. Each web member 28 includes a first leg 30 extending between opposed levels of lateral members 14 and generally parallel with the column members 12. The web member also includes second and third legs 32, 34 which are inclined in orientation to the first leg 30 and extend diagonally from adjacent ends of the first leg 30 to one of the column members 12. Appropriate safety cables 27, as is consonant with embodiments of the stairtower, may be provided at each web member 28.
The portals 26 provide access to levels of the stairtower and generally correspond to floors of the building construction, while the diagonal members 22, 24 and the web members 28 provide support to the stairtower by reinforcing its structure and moreover, prevent access to the stairtower at adjacent regions thereof. It will be understood that it is considered to be clearly within the scope of the invention to provide portals of any height, width, or number.
Turning to
As shown in
Returning to the embodiment shown in
In
In
Similar to the configuration discussed above in connection with
In each of the embodiments discussed herein, a top surface of the outriggers may include or be constructed from expanded metal, perforated metal, bar grating, fiberglass grating, hex metal and other suitable decking materials. It is important that the outriggers prevent objects from falling beyond each respective level of the stairtower and it will be understood that the stairtower is not limited to the embodiments of the outriggers described herein. It is thus envisioned that the stairtower may comprise any outrigger safety device known to a skilled artisan for preventing falling objects from a level of the platform.
As exemplified in
The first stair segment 178 includes first and second landing portions 182, 184. The first landing portion 182 of the first stair segment is shown as being generally parallel with the platform section 176 and contiguous therewith. The second landing portion 184 of the first stair segment 178 is juxtaposed to the second landing portion 188 of the second stair segment 180 to define a generally contiguous landing, as discussed more fully above. The first landing portion 186 extends to the next vertically succeeding level above the level shown in
It will be understood that the outriggers are not limited to being installed on the stairtower so as to be substantially parallel with the platform or lateral members of each level. Alternatively, the outriggers may be positioned and vertically spaced along the column members at any location thereof.
As briefly discussed above, the inventive stairtower includes a base assembly for securing and supporting the inventive platform structural members. An embodiment of a base assembly 190 is shown in detail in
Each support beam 196 defines first and second ends 198, 200. The first end 198 of each support beam 196 connects to an anchor device 202 that generally extends perpendicularly from the support beam 196. The second end 200 of each support beam 196 connects to a first end 206 of a turnbuckle 204 or similar device. Each turnbuckle 204, in turn, has a second end 208 that is pivotally connected to a corner member 212 defined between lateral members 210 extending above the base assembly 190 and column members 192 bordering the base assembly 190. The base assembly 190 also includes a plurality of sliding support legs 214 that are each secured at a first end 216 thereof to the first end 198 of each support beam 196, and are slidably connected at a second end 218 thereof to one of the column members 192 by a slider device 220.
A suitable tow element or elements 224 may be provided to assist in deployment of the support beams 196 outwardly from the housing 194 or to stow the support beam inwardly into the housing 194. In the embodiment shown in
In reference to
While shown schematically in
It will be noted that the bottom surface 228 of the housing 192 corresponding to the first end 198 of the support beam 196 may have a recessed portion 240 to accommodate the support beam 196 therewithin so as to permit the anchor device 202 to be stored within the confines of the housing 194.
As illustrated in
When installing or removing the stairtower from a work site, it is intended that the support members 196 may be lifted from the track elements or lowered so that the first and second plates 252, 254 may be dislodged from one another.
It will be noted that the invention is not limited to the pivot plate assembly 250 shown above, and the scope of the invention is envisioned to cover all similar devices or assemblies that impart the benefits and advantages of the pivot plate assembly herein described.
In
As briefly described above, the support beams 196 each include the anchor device 202 connected to the first end 198 thereof. In the embodiment shown herein, each anchor device 202 includes a vertical extension 258 mounted at the first end 198 of the support beam 202, and an anchor pad 260 mounted on the vertical extension 258 opposite the support beam 196. The vertical extension 258 may comprise any suitable structural configuration sufficient to extend and support the anchor pad 260, while withstanding the weight of the stairtower. The illustrated anchor pad 260 comprises a plate joined to the vertical extension 258. It will be noted that the anchor pad may comprise any suitable configuration or material that can sufficiently hold or support the stairtower in place. The vertical extension and the anchor pad may be detachably mounted to and from one another, and the vertical extension may be detachably mounted to the support beam.
As shown in
A plurality of transverse members 298 are provided which reinforce the base assembly 190 and span the lateral members 296. Moreover, diagonal members 300 extend between diagonally opposed column members 288, 290, 292, 294, and may be provided to add support to the base assembly 190. The base assembly also includes a deck 302 bordered by the lateral members 296 and is supported by the transverse and diagonal members 298, 300. The deck 302 may be constructed from expanded metal, perforated metal, bar grating, fiberglass grating, hex metal and other suitable conventional decking materials and configurations known to one skilled in the art.
It will be understood that the inventive stairtower is not limited to having reinforcing transverse members and the diagonal members to merely reinforce the base assembly, but any of the levels of the inventive stairtower may be provided with such transverse and diagonal members to structurally reinforce the platform sections and staircases.
Safety nets 304 or other appropriate safety devices such as screens, mesh, solid panels and equivalent devices may be provided about the periphery of the base assembly 190. Moreover, it will be understood that any other level of the inventive stairtower may include appropriate safety nets or devices whereat such safety nets or other safety devices are desirable or necessary.
It will be noted that the base assembly may be provided with a passageway extending therethrough that provides access from below the base assembly. In particular, this particular feature is envisioned to provide access to the inventive stairtower for workers from manholes below the base assembly.
In the embodiment shown in
The first roller assembly 324 is principally provided for transport of the trolley 318 along the trolley beam 320 and a lateral member 336 upon which the roller assembly 324 may be installed. A second roller assembly 339 may be provided which may be arranged to roll along a beam member 337 which runs transversely to lateral member 336. The trolley 318 may include a pulley 338 that extends into the lower level 328 and a tow element 340 extensible therefrom. It will be understood that the various components of the trolley 318 may be modified or replaced with components having similar functions as those described herein. Moreover, the mounting of the trolley onto the trolley beam is not limited to the method and manner described herein but may be modified as considered expedient by a skilled artisan.
As illustrated in
A safety cable 352 or guardrail system of the type herein described may be provided which surrounds the periphery of the top level 342 bounded by column members 354. The top portions 356 of the column members 354 include suitable hitch devices 358 secured thereon. The hitch devices 358 may be used to connect to a tow element 264, such as rope, chains or cables that in turn connect to a crane (not shown) for transport and placement of the platform. Other devices and methods may be used for transport and placement of the stairtower as would be deemed effective by a skilled artisan and which are conventionally known.
As noted above, inventive stairtower may comprise a plurality of modular components. The components may be assembled as platform level lengths, as shown in
According to one method for erecting the inventive stairtower, the inventive stairtower is erected in a building construction. The building construction has a plurality of superimposed floor levels and a plurality of vertically extending column members located at horizontally spaced locations. The method first involves the step of placing a first modular component having a base assembly into a cavity of building construction and securing the base platform unit against the ground. Preferably, the first modular component has at least two platform levels that correspond to floor heights of the building construction, and a staircase extending between each platform level and providing access to the stairtower from a ground level. Next, the method includes extending the height of the stairtower by installing a sequential modular platform assembly on the first platform assembly to increase the height of the stairtower. The method of adding the sequential modular platform assembly may be subsequently repeated to move the stairtower upwardly as the height of the building construction increases during construction.
An alternate embodiment of a stairtower 410 is shown in
The lateral members 414 are spaced vertically along the column members 412 and each position of the lateral members 412 defines a level of lateral members 412. The lateral members 412 also provide structural support and attachment points for interior structures of the stairtower 410. Of course, other suitable structural elements may also be provided to provide structural support to the stairtower 410, as discussed above in detail.
Staircases 418, of a type similarly described above, are provided in the interior of the stairtower 410. As previously discussed, the staircases may be defined by a first stair segment 434 and a second stair segment 436. The first stair segment 434 may be oriented at an angle to the vertical column members 412 such that they lead in first inclined direction A. Similarly, the second stair segment 436 may be oriented at a different angle to the vertical column members 412 such that they lead in second inclined direction B.
As shown in
The connection may be as described above with reference to
When the stair segments are positioned in the stairtower 410, they form staircases 418 that extend between alternating levels of lateral members 414. At the levels of the lateral members 414 between the alternating levels of lateral members 414, platform landings are formed by the juxtaposed first and second landing portions 438 of the first and second stair segments 434, 436, respectively.
In reference to
As shown in
Since the lateral members 414 have the removable portions 416 spaced at the intermediate levels of the lateral members 414, a portal 500 may be formed between alternating levels of lateral members 414. These portals 500 allow egress and ingress from the interior of the stairtower 410 such that workers may access a worksite through the portals 500.
As exemplified with reference to
Further, as shown in
As described above, the ramps 480 may be removably and/or pivotally attached to the attachment points 478, for example by attachment pins 490 received within holes defining the attachment points 478. Of course suitable bearings may be provided to aid with raising and lowering the ramps 480 into place.
To aid with raising and lowering the ramps 480, and to provide a safety mechanism, cables 492 may be attached to the column members 412 and the ramp platform 482. The cables 492 may be connected in any suitable fixed or removable manner using clamps or eyelets of any suitable configuration.
As also shown in
To further aid workers with accessing levels of a construction site that do not necessarily align with the platform landings, as discussed above, the ramp platforms 482 may be mounted above or below the platform landings. In order to provide a safer environment, removable steps 494 are optionally provided to ease the transition from the platform landing to the ramp platform, 482.
An exemplary configuration of this is shown in
To further aid with providing a safe working environment, the stairtower is provided with a system for removing debris or rainwater from the stairtower 410 without injuring workers. The system functions as follows. All of the landings 438, stair portions, and ramp platforms 482 may be substantially planar surfaces formed with perforations or holes therein. Suitable materials are grates or perforated planking, as discussed in detail above. To prevent debris and rainwater from falling through the perforations onto the heads or bodies of workers, catch pans 440, 496 are provided beneath each of the landings 438, stair portions, and ramp platforms 482.
With reference to
As shown in
Collection screens may be inserted at the intersection of the gutters 442 and the leaders 444 such that debris larger than a predefined size does not travel into the leaders 444. Alternatively, since the grating or perforations of the landings and stairs act as a screen for debris of a size larger than the gratings or perforations, the gutters 442 and leaders 444 may not include a screen. Thus, debris that is received in the catch pans 440 may pass through the gutters 442 and into the leaders 444.
The leaders 444 may act as downspouts to take the rainwater and debris from the levels of the stairtower 410 down to the proximal end of the stairtower 410. The leaders 444 may be open ended at the proximal end of the stairtower 410 to allow the rainwater and debris to exit therefrom at the base of the stairtower 410. Alternatively, any suitable system, such as additional piping, may be utilized to transfer the debris and rainwater to a collection bin or system, or to otherwise draw the debris and rainwater away from the stairtower 410.
Additionally, the ramp platform 482 may also have gratings or perforations to provide a lighter structure. Thus, a catch pan 496 may be provided beneath the ramp platform 482 as an additional safety precaution. The catch pan 496 may perform in the same manner as the catch pans 440 to collect fallen debris and rainwater.
The catch pan 496 may be sloped downwards towards the stairtower 410. Thus, the catch pan 496 may also lead into the gutter 442 to allow debris and rainwater to be drawn away from the ramp platform 482 in a manner as discussed above.
Of course, the landings 438, stair segments 434, 436, and ramp platform 482 may all include planking or decking that has no perforations. As such, no catch pans, gutters, or leaders would be necessary to protect workers from falling debris. Further, since the stairtower 410 is not a hermetically sealed structure, rainfall may exit from the stairtower at each level of platform landings.
Having described the internal structures and safety features of the stairtower 410, reference is made again to
In particular, in order to allow the stairtower 410 to be positioned in a horizontal orientation without risking damage to the supporting structures of the stairtower 410, landing gear 458 and a wheel carriage 450 are provided along one side of the stairtower 410. The landing gear may be any standard landing gear and may include suitable hydraulic or mechanical lifting capabilities. Alternatively, the landing gear may be simply a support post with a support platform. The landing gear 458 may be removably attached to the structure of the stairtower 410, so as to be removed from the stairtower 410 once the stairtower 410 is positioned for use, as will be discussed below.
In a further alternative, the landing gear may be pivotally attached to the stairtower 410 such that once the stairtower 410 is erected, the landing gear will collapse and lie flat against the side of the stairtower 410.
A first exemplary embodiment of a wheel carriage 450 is shown in
As can be seen in
Since the wheels 454 extend into the interior of the stairtower 410, they will likely partially occlude or impede the passage of workers up and down the stairtower 410 if they were to remain in such a position. Therefore, a mechanism and structure that allows the wheels 454 to be moved out of the interior of the stairtower 410 is provided. It will be recognized that devices such as brakes for the wheels and suspension for the wheel carriage may be provided. The brakes may be any suitable braking system such as drum brakes or disk brakes. The braking system may be connected to a tractor trailer or semi-hauler in a known manner. Any suitable suspension system may be utilized, such as leaf springs, hydraulic or pneumatic suspension, coil-over springs, or any other suitable suspension system.
With reference to
The pivot connection 452 may be any suitable connection, such as pins, bearings, and flanges, to allow the wheel carriage 450 to pivot thereabout. Of course, the pivot connection 452 may be a removable connection provided by threaded bolts and nuts connecting a flange to the column member. Such a connection further allows the wheel carriage 450 to be connectable to the stairtower 410 at any suitable position along the side of the stairtower 410.
In addition, the slidable connection 456 may incorporate an adjustable or telescoping function, in a recognized manner, to allow the wheels 454 to be oriented at different heights. Thus, the height of the stairtower 410 may be adjusted.
The slidable connection 456 may be any suitable connection that allows the distal end of the wheel carriage 450 to slide or tilt away from the stairtower 410 once the stairtower 410 is placed in a vertical orientation. For example, the slidable connection may be an extending bar or angle bar that lies flat against a lateral member 414 or a platform landing. Such a bar or angle bar may be bolted or clamped to the lateral member 414 or a platform landing in a removable manner.
Thus, once the stairtower 410 has been erected, the bolts or clamps may be removed to allow the bar or angle bar to slide away from the stairtower 410. A suitable retention mechanism, such as a stopping block, may be provided to prevent the extending bar or angle bar from pivoting beyond a defined angle. For example, an additional lateral member may be removably provided across the column members 412 to engage the extending bar or angle bar once a certain pivot angle has been reached. Of course, other suitable mechanisms and structures will be apparent to the skilled artisan.
As more clearly shown in
In an alternate variation, as shown in
In yet another variation, as shown in
In addition to the wheel carriage, in reference to
Referring to
The frame of opposed lateral members 422 also includes opposed projecting members 424 and opposed angle members 426 that extend from the opposed lateral members 422. The opposed projecting members 424 and opposed angle members 426 each form a triangular shape with the opposed lateral members 422. Cross-pieces 428 are provided extending between the opposed triangular shapes formed by the opposed projecting members 424, opposed angle members 426, and opposed lateral members 422.
A pin hitch projection 432, or king pin hitch, is provided extending from the cross-piece 428 that connects the opposed projecting members 424. The structure of such a pin hitch projection will be recognized by the skilled artisan, and is not further described herein.
An additional cross-piece 428, which extends between the opposed angle members 426 acts as a lifting point to erect the stairtower 410 into a vertical orientation, as will be discussed in detail below. Of course, any other suitable lifting point may also be provided or used, such as other cross-pieces or lateral members of the stairtower 410.
Of course, additional cross-bracing or structural members may be added to the removable transporting and erecting section 420 to provide additional support when necessary.
As seen in
Further, appropriate safety devices such as brake light/headlight 446, and turn signal indicators 446, which are removable connected to appropriate locations on the stairtower 410, may be connected to the indicators of the transporting vehicle 498 in a manner that will be recognized by the skilled artisan. Exemplary suitable locations for the brake light/headlight 446, and turn signal indicators 446 may be at the proximal end of the stairtower 410.
Once the transporting vehicle 498 has been connected to the stairtower 410 and the brake light/headlight 446, and turn signal indicators 446 have been appropriately connected, the stairtower 410 may be transported to any desired location. As previously mentioned, the stair segments, and other structural features of the stairtower 410 are removable. Thus, the stairtower 410 may be transported with some, none, or all of the previously described features attached.
As shown in
If the stairtower 410 was transported without the staircases or other removable structures, they may be attached to the stairtower 410 at this time. Alternatively, they may be attached to the stairtower 410 once it has been erected to the vertical orientation.
To raise the stairtower 410 from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, a lifting vehicle 460, such as a crane, may be used. If a crane is used, a hook 462 extending from a cable 464 is connected to the lifting point of the cross-piece 428, or other attachment point, and the crane is actuated in a known manner to raise the stairtower 410 to a vertical orientation such that the proximal end of the stairtower 410 rests upon the ground.
At this time, the transporting and erecting section 420 may be disconnected from the stairtower 410 and lifted away from the stairtower 410, such that additional stairtowers may be stacked as modules, as previously described. Further, any removable structures that have not already been connected to the stairtower 410 may be connected at this time. As previously discussed, the wheel carriages and/or the landing gear may also be removed at this time. Further, a support base, as discussed with respect to previous embodiments may be utilized to stabilize the stairtower 410.
As discussed above with previous embodiments, the stairtower 410 may be a temporary structure, or it may be utilized as a permanent internal staircase of a building. If the stairtower 410 is intended as a temporary structure, the steps above for transporting the stairtower 410 may be performed in the reverse order such that the stairtower 410 may be transported away from the site once construction is complete.
The stairtower may also be erected in any other suitable manner, such as the utilization of a hydraulic lifting cylinder. Such a cylinder may be integrally connected between the removable transporting and erecting section and the wheel carriage, or may be separately provided.
In a variation, as illustrated in
The upper stairtower 510 is shown being lifted into position for stacking upon the lower stairtower. The wheel carriage 554 is shown as being attached and pivoted away from the stairtower 510. An exemplary suspension system 538 is shown as a coil-over spring attached to the distal portion of the wheel carriage. Of course, as previously discussed, any suitable suspension system may be utilized. While the wheel carriage 554 is shown as attached, it will be recognized that the wheel carriage 554 may be removed at any time, including prior to erection of the stairtowers 510.
Another variation of the stairtowers 510 are the fact that the staircases, composed of first 534 and second 536 stair segments extend diagonally across the entire width of the stairtower 510 between the levels of the lateral members 514 and do not include separate landing portions. Thus, the top step of a first stair segment 534 and the adjacent lower step of the second stair segment 536 form the path along which users may travel to ascend or descend the stairtower 510. Such a configuration may be useful to erect and leave in place to form a staircase within a building.
In such a situation, the safety devices previously discussed may be provided for a construction phase only, and may be removed prior to the finalization of the building. Alternatively, the safety devices may not be necessary in such a situation if the building includes a preexisting shaft for a staircase, and the stairtowers are erected directly within the preexisting shaft.
An exemplary splice connection member 540 is more clearly shown in
The width or cross sectional dimension of the stop member 542 is such that the splice connection members cannot be fully received within the ends of the column members 512. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the width of the stop members may be such that they provide a friction fit within the ends of the column members in order to retain the splice connection members in place. It is noted that the width or cross sectional dimension of the reinforcement member 548 is smaller than the width or cross sectional dimension of the first and second extension members 544, 546 in order to aid with placement of the second stairtower via lowering by crane or other erecting device as previously described.
As further shown in
As shown in
Many other variations and configurations of the stairtower are contemplated.
It is noted that the removable transporting and erecting section and the wheel carriages disclosed herein may be utilized to transport and/or erect any number of structures, such as trailers, platforms, and frames having no stairways.
It will be understood that the modular platform assemblies may be coupled according to conventional techniques for coupling structural members. Conventional techniques include welding and the use of fasteners, and the techniques used may be in accordance with the desired ease of erection and dismantle of the stairtower. Of course, the modular platform assemblies may possess different features, such as those described above.
It will be recognized that the stairtower may be constructed in varying sizes based upon the desired applications and the size of the roads that the stairtower may be transported on. An exemplary size for the width of the staircases is seven feet. Of course, the stairtower is in no way limited to this size.
The skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. In addition to the variations described herein, other known equivalents for each feature can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct a stairtower in accordance with principles of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
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